Portend-Pretend | Commonly Confused Words

Portend

/pɔːˈtend/

To give a warning or sign that something is going to happen, usually something bad

Dark clouds portend an impending storm.Economic indicators portend market volatility ahead.Rapid changes in behavior can portend deeper issues.

/prɪˈtend/

To act as if something is true when it is not true

'Was not it, too!' returned Bella, pretending to pout.Miriam pretended surprise.And she pretends to be tough so she won't get hurt."

Portend suggests something ominous or significant is going to happen, like a storm that portends disaster.
Pretend involves acting or claiming something that's not true, such as pretending to be a superhero.
Think about portend as a sort of forecast for future events, often unfavorable.
Pretend is linked with imagination and play, often seen in children’s games.
Remember, portend relates to real events likely to happen, while pretend involves falseness or simulation.